A national effort to protect families from toxic chemicals.

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Safe Chemicals Act

Last week, the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) provided compelling evidence that our federal law on toxic chemicals, the 37 year-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), is in terrible shape and doing a disservice to Americans’ health.

Retailers have the power to make substantial improvements in public health and safety, and with that power comes a moral obligation, a corporate social responsibility. Many of the retailers have gotten started, but they need to do more. And because they care about their customers, you can help them along.

In 2012, HealthyStuff.org tested both the hoses and the water that sat in a hose for a few days. Our test data showed that the plastic additives in PVC hoses, including phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), leach out of the hose and into the water. When we lab tested the water, we found additives at levels many times higher than drinking water.

Our bloggers are helping to move the market away from toxic chemicals! With the combined efforts of concerned citizens around the country as well as the top retailers ongoing efforts, we are hoping that trips to your local retailer will come with a little extra piece of mind.

As parents become more aware of the chemicals their children are exposed to on a daily basis (and the negative effects on their health), many are trying to reduce their exposure to many of these toxic chemicals. And while switching to non-toxic products at home may seem to be a doable challenge, trying to reduce your child’s exposure at school may seem out of reach! But don’t despair…it can be done.

We welcomed a big boost this week for protecting children’s health from toxic chemicals when the American Academy of Pediatricians formally endorsed the Safe Chemicals Act, saying that “(o)ur current federal chemical management policy falls short for children.”

Actress and mother, Jennifer Beals, has joined Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families in Washington D.C. this week to urge Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act. I had time to sit down with Jennifer to talk about why she cares about this important issue.